Anybody have some good inflation-fiting "Poor Man" meal recipes?

Murrmurr

Murrmurr

SF VIP
Location
Sacramento, California
Especially before Christmas, saving food dollars was crucial in my family. My kids loved "Chili-Mac"; I'd make a box of macaroni and cheese, sometimes under 50-cents back then, and stir in a can of chili, another 50-cents or so. We'd have cornbread with it, made from a 30-cent box of Jiffy Cornbread mix, and a can of green beans. These are all still really cheap, each one well under $2.

Another favorite - frying a couple crushed cloves of garlic with few potatoes cut into small cubes, and stirring in 3 or 4 eggs and some salt n pepper. I sprinkled on shredded cheese if I had some.
 

One chicken breast
1 box Rice a Roni chicken flavor.

Cut chicken into bite size pieces. Salt, pepper, garlic powder, dry basil to taste.
Cook in olive oil. remove from pan.

In same pan cook the rice a roni. Once I have it simmering, add the chicken back in to get more flavor and keep it from getting dry.

I sometimes add frozen peas and or mushrooms.

Serve with a green veg or salad if desired.
 
I like to whip up some ramen noodles with stir fry vegetables. I get the frozen ones and melt some butter in the fry pan to cook the vegetables partially. Then I add them to my ramen and boil them for the 3 minutes required for the noodles. I then drain most of the liquid off. I leave some so my noodles stay moist while eat them. Ramen is fairly cheap & pretty versatile.
 
Murrmurr said:
Especially before Christmas, saving food dollars was crucial in my family.
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It was the same in my family.

My mother and grandmother used to squeeze the grocery budget for all sorts of little treats and emergencies.

Breakfast for dinner was one of our budget strategies. The smell of potatoes and onions frying for supper is still comforting to me.

I remember having warmed-over white rice topped with a sprinkle of brown sugar and a drizzle of milk for breakfast. I still get the urge to enjoy that once or twice a year. :giggle:

We also had the usual franks and beans, tuna noodle casserole, egg salad, soup, etc...

These days I try to make things a little healthier. Sweat a few cloves of minced garlic and some hot pepper flakes in olive oil, a bag of microwaved frozen vegetables, and an equal amount of cooked pasta, noodles, or rice. I serve it with a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese or a squirt of soy sauce and a drizzle of sesame oil. Toss the leftovers with your favorite salad dressing for a cold salad on day two.
 
Alice_B said:
I like to whip up some ramen noodles with stir fry vegetables. I get the frozen ones and melt some butter in the fry pan to cook the vegetables partially. Then I add them to my ramen and boil them for the 3 minutes required for the noodles. I then drain most of the liquid off. I leave some so my noodles stay moist while eat them. Ramen is fairly cheap & pretty versatile.
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My granddaughter loves to snack on ramen. She likes me to drop a raw egg into it and a few green onion bulbs when I have them. I don't use the flavor packet that comes with the flavored ramen, I use a few dashes of turmeric and a little salt/pepper instead.

I like your recipe.
 
Aunt Bea said:
It was the same in my family.

My mother and grandmother used to squeeze the grocery budget for all sorts of little treats and emergencies.

Breakfast for dinner was one of our budget strategies. The smell of potatoes and onions frying for supper is still comforting to me.

I remember having warmed-over white rice topped with a sprinkle of brown sugar and a drizzle of milk for breakfast. I still get the urge to enjoy that once or twice a year. :giggle:

We also had the usual franks and beans, tuna noodle casserole, egg salad, soup, etc...

These days I try to make things a little healthier. Sweat a few cloves of minced garlic and some hot pepper flakes in olive oil, a bag of microwaved frozen vegetables, and an equal amount of cooked pasta, noodles, or rice. I serve it with a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese or a squirt of soy sauce and a drizzle of sesame oil. Toss the leftovers with your favorite salad dressing for a cold salad on day two.
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I remember those same exact meals. My grandma did the "rice pudding" exactly as you describe. I loved it. And this was while I lived on my grandparents' dairy. No shortage of milk, cheese, and butter.
 
Wren said:
Mash potatoes, stir in plenty of grated cheese, sprinkle a little grated cheese on top, put in a pie dish and bake until golden brown, I serve with peas and tomatoes
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You can use a spoon to make little bowls in the mash and break an egg in each one, then bake it. Adds protien and it's really yummy. I stir a spoonful of Ranch dressing into the mash for a little tanginess.
 
Murrmurr.....will the kids eat quinoa, or could you convince them to try it? It is known as one of nature's most perfect foods.

Often for lunch I will simmer quinoa in chicken stock, toss in whatever veggies I have on hand and bits and pieces of leftover chicken or pork from the freezer. Top with those little grape tomatoes (kids love those) It makes for a good tasting healthy meal.

And if I could turn my meat and potatoes hubby into a quinoa lover you could do the same with the kids ;)
 
Lee said:
Murrmurr.....will the kids eat quinoa, or could you convince them to try it? It is known as one of nature's most perfect foods.

Often for lunch I will simmer quinoa in chicken stock, toss in whatever veggies I have on hand and bits and pieces of leftover chicken or pork from the freezer. Top with those little grape tomatoes (kids love those) It makes for a good tasting healthy meal.

And if I could turn my meat and potatoes hubby into a quinoa lover you could do the same with the kids ;)
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I have tried it, Lee, but no, they didn't like it. My grandson said it was "ok" but he didn't take a second helping, which is not usual.
 
This one is simple and delicious.

Southern Opossum Surprise

1 fat possum
8 sweet potatoes

2 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon sugar

salt

Skin the possum and remove the head and feet. Be sure to wash it thoroughly. Freeze overnight either outside or in a refrigerator. When ready to cook, peel the potatoes and boil them tender in lightly salted water along with the butter and sugar. At the same time, stew the possum tender in a tightly covered pan with a little water. Arrange the potatoes around the possum, strip with bacon(optional), sprinkle with thyme or marjoram, or pepper, and brown in the oven. Baste often with the drippings.
 
oldpop said:
This one is simple and delicious.

Southern Opossum Surprise

1 fat possum
8 sweet potatoes

2 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon sugar

salt

Skin the possum and remove the head and feet. Be sure to wash it thoroughly. Freeze overnight either outside or in a refrigerator. When ready to cook, peel the potatoes and boil them tender in lightly salted water along with the butter and sugar. At the same time, stew the possum tender in a tightly covered pan with a little water. Arrange the potatoes around the possum, strip with bacon(optional), sprinkle with thyme or marjoram, or pepper, and brown in the oven. Baste often with the drippings.
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Works well with a fat chicken, too.
 

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